Tuesday, April 27, 2010

BillShrink

At BillShrink you can save money on your wireless service, credit cards, gasoline, and find the best rate for savings & CD's. There is also a BillShrink for business.As it says at the website: "BillShrink is a free, personalized savings tool that helps you save money on your everyday bills. We put the power in your hands by presenting comprehensive, unbiased choices so you can select options best for you."Check it all out here to start saving: http://www.billshrink.com/

Friday, April 23, 2010

Embrace Life - Wear Your Seatbelt

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Helen's Gifts from Tibet

Here are two quilts that my friend Helen made with fabric she brought back from Tibet. These are gifts for people she met there from other countries that were also teaching at the monastery. The singing bowl can be used for personal meditation, yoga, chakra clearing, reiki, feng shui, sound massage and sound therapy. There are also containers of incense sticks and a holder to stand them up in to burn. The tiny little hand carved wooden container was a gift from one of her students. Inside is a personal note he wrote to her rolled up like as in a Tibetan prayer wheel.More about the singing bowls:http://www.himalayanbowls.com/info.htm?pageName=questionsInformation on prayer wheels:http://www.dharma-haven.org/tibetan/prayer-wheel.htm

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Sewing Diary

A sewing diary is a helpful way to have a record of a project. If I want to go back and use this particular stitch on another quilt I can see exactly what it looked like because it's stitched right onto the paper. I made note of what it is called with its length and width. I can also make note of the thread used.

Monday, April 19, 2010

(Relationship) Violence Red Flags

From Gavin de Becker on the Oprah website there is a list of four signs that are often missed that may indicate a relationship may become violent.

1. Physical Violence - Being pushed or hit is a major clue that your partner is capable of violence. Being hit ends the mystery. It's over. It doesn't work in relationships and it usually doesn't get any better.2. Symbolic Violence - This is the destruction of objects to intimidate the other person. Like tearing up wedding pictures.3. Fast-Paced Relationships - If the pace is accelerated in the relationship when the other person began discussing marriage, moving in together and having children, that itself is a control strategy. 4. Persistence - Anyone who doesn't hear the word no is trying to control you. Persistence doesn't mean you are special. It means they are troubled. Women misinterpret persistence as flattery.To read more go to:http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/Abusive-Relationship-Red-Flags

To combat domestic violence, Gavin has developed a potentially lifesaving tool called MOSAIC. This online assessment is free and protects the user's identity.

It can help to assess these types of situations:Domestic Violence - Male Offender/Female OffenderWorplace Violence - Concerning a Male/ Concerning a FemaleThreat by Student - School/UniversityThreats - Public Figures/Judicial OfficialsGo here to check it out:https://www.mosaicmethod.com/

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

I Graduated Today!

I finally completed my Cardiac Rehab that I started last year and had to stop when I had vertigo. Anyway, now all of my 12 sessions are completed. I even had a cap, gown, a huge golden sneaker, and walked around the little track to the sounds of Pomp & Circumstance, ending with purple confetti!!! Oh, and a Certificate of course. Thanks to all the nurses. You were so sweet!Now back to the gym - FINALLY! (UGH!!)

Preparation1. Preheat oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Lightly oil a 9-inch square pan. Spread pecans in a single layer on baking sheet and toast for 7 to 10 minutes, until aromatic and slightly browned. Watch carefully, as they burn easily. Repeat this process for almonds. Turn oven down to 325°F.

3. In a large bowl, whisk together egg, maple syrup and vanilla till combined. Add fruit and nut mixture and use your hands to mix well, being sure to separate any clumps of fruit. Spread mixture in square baking pan in an even layer and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, till set and golden brown. Don’t overbake or bars will be too dry. Let cool on wire rack for 5 minutes, then cut into 25 squares. Leave bars in pan till completely cool so they’ll hold together when you remove them.

Thursday, April 08, 2010

Gluten-Free Restaurant Menus

HP reader Nancy J. sent along that Aladdin's Eatery has a G-F menu. (http://www.aladdinseatery.com/about_us.php)This got me to thinking of looking for listings of gluten-free restaurants and/or menus offered by national and regional chains. I found the following websites.

Wednesday, April 07, 2010

How the States Got Their Shapes

Ever wonder how the states got their shapes? Well, you can find it all out on the History Channel. You'll have to set your recording devices unless you stay up late.

"We are so familiar with the map of United States, but do we know why our states look the way they do? Every shape on the map tells a great story about our past. Why is California bent? To cling on to gold. Why does Oklahoma have a panhandle? Because of shifting borders for slavery. Why does Missouri have a boot? Because of a massive earthquake. This special examines how every state is a puzzle piece ultimately revealing the unique geography, political and social history of America."

Tonight on the History Channel1am ET12am CT1am PT

Oh, and for those of you that watch it, the cast of Glee is on Oprah today. New episodes start next week.

Friday, April 02, 2010

30 Days

If you didn't see this series in its first run and you get the planet green channel I recommend watching the 30 Days series which will start on Monday, April 3rd. It also runs on April 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13th.

Minimum Wage - Morgan Spurlock and his fiancee Alex uproot themselves from the financial security of their fabulous New York City lives and work at multiple minimum wage jobs for 30 days.

Anti-Aging - A thirty-something former athlete who is battling middle-age, an expanding gut, and a lowered libido goes on anti-aging drugs for 30 days.

Straight Man in a Gay World - A 24-year-old conservative homophobe, spends 30 days living with a gay roommate in San Francisco's Casto district.

Muslims and America - David, a Christian man from West Virginia, spends 30 days living in a largely Muslim community in Dearborn, Michigan.